A new report reveals a 75% decline in the number of local journalists per 100,000 residents in the U.S. since 2002. It shows that the national average has fallen from about 40 journalists to below nine today. Over a third of U.S. counties have fewer than one full-time journalist, predominantly in lightly populated areas. Significant metro areas have not fared well either, with Los Angeles, Houston, Phoenix, and Dallas having only half the expected journalist count. Vermont tops the states in journalist density, with notable counties in Mississippi and South Dakota.
In 2002, the U.S. had about 40 journalists per 100,000 residents. Today, the national average is below nine.
More than a third of U.S. counties have fewer than the equivalent of one full time journalist. However, those counties account for only about a sixth of the population.
Huge metro areas, home to a rich array of old and new publications, do not fare especially well on the measure of journalists compared to population.
Vermont was the best among the states; top counties included Lee in Mississippi and Jerauld in South Dakota.
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